Foreign travel advice Israel

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Summary

Still current at:

2 August 2015

Updated:

31 July 2015

Latest update: Summary section - The FCO advise against all but essential travel on Route 60 in the West Bank near Hizma and Jenin. Take caution near settlements in the West Bank, particularly near Nablus.

This travel advice covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

Gaza

the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar along the border with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’)

east of Route 98 along the Syrian border

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

all other parts of Israel within 5km of the Israeli/Lebanese border

Route 60 in the West Bank between Hizma and Jenin

On 31 July two houses were set on fire near Nablus. One person died and three were injured in a settler terrorist attack. Take caution near settlements in the West Bank, particularly near Nablus.

On 19 June, 2 Israeli men were shot near the settlement of Dolev, north west of Ramallah. One of the men subsequently died from his injuries. Police are investigating the attack.

In May and June rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza, landing in open areas.

There is a risk of security incidents in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. There have been attacks on pedestrians on or near Jerusalem’s Light Rail stations in recent months, including an attack on pedestrians near the Shimon Ha’Tzadik station on 5 March when a number of people were injured.

There have been attacks on buses in the Greater Tel Aviv area, including a knife attack on 21 January when 12 people were wounded.

Take extra care and be vigilant when using public transport, in particular the Light Rail in East Jerusalem and buses in the greater Tel Aviv area. You may wish to consider using other forms of transport.

The situation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank remains tense and the security situation is volatile. You should be especially vigilant after Friday prayers and on religious holidays.
Demonstrations and other forms of civil unrest can occur at short notice and often turn violent. A heavy Israeli security presence is likely. Be extra vigilant and take great care, particularly at the Qalandiya checkpoint between East Jerusalem and Ramallah, in areas close to refugee camps, in and around Israeli settlements and in the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Hebron.

Visa and other entry requirements are complex. Make sure you’re aware of Israeli immigration policies before you travel. Allow extra time for increased security measures and checks at airports during Israeli holidays and during the peak summer tourist season. See Entry Requirements